Sport: Tanivula happy to be back in charge of Fijiana

Iliesa Tanivula is looking to hit the ground running following his confirmation as coach the Fiji women's sevens team.

The Fijiana finished eighth at the Rio Olympics, the same placing they have managed on each of their two Women's World Series campaigns.

Iliesa Tanivula had been a part of the Fijiana coaching set-up since 2013 but played more of a supporting role last season under the former Fiji Director of Women's Rugby, Chris Cracknell.

The 41 year-old has spent the past two months preparing the squad for the upcoming season and is looking forward to seeing them back on the paddock.

"I've been with the women's team since 2013 and we qualified for the first year on the (Women's World) Series in 2014 so it's sort of a development and the girls are sort of improving," he said.

"The Olympics was huge for us as a group, we learned a lot and I guess coming in this year the girls really showed some hunger and looking forward to the season."

Iliesa Tanivula said there are few new young faces in the Fijiana squad this season and they're looking forward to defending their Oceania Sevens title against OIympic and World Series champions Australia in a fortnight.